People power proved its effectiveness once again ? despite pessimists? predictions of use of force and crackdown on demonstrators, Ukraine?s then president Leonid Kuchma decided not to risk international disapproval and accepted the choice of the majority.

But those protesters who spent weeks in the Independence Square in the centre of Kiev (Maidain in Ukrainian) were supported, entertained and given boosts of fighting spirit by Ukraine?s most creative people ? musicians who performed almost round the clock concerts on the stage erected in the square. They sang well-known rock songs, old folk songs, new revolutionary songs. There was hardly a band who didn?t want to be seen supporting the mass sentiment, the sentiment they believed in, too.

Tanok Na Maidani Kongo (Dance in the Square of Kongo) or TNMK for short, Ukraine?s hip-hop supremos rapped in the square about Pomaranchi ? or oranges, using a sample of Viktor Yushchenko?s voice, which said: ?My nation is no longer nondescript, it?s a nation of Ukrainians.? With the word ?Ukrainians? resounding throughout the track TNMK sang about a whole nation being born again, while the audience stamped their feet in sub-zero temperatures.

TNMK, originally set up back in the late 1980s, came to their prominence and current make-up in 1997. Since then they?ve released 5 LPs, several videos, a bunch of singles and a documentary. Their song ?Zroby Meni Hip-Hop? (Do Me a Hip-Hop) became mandatory listening for a whole generation of Ukrainians. They are now awaiting the release of their sixth album called ?Syla? (Power).

Originally from Kharkiv, a city in Eastern Ukraine, where a lot of people did not give their backing to the Orange cause, TNMK whole-heartedly supported Yushchenko. But what do they think now, after a year has gone by? Are they disappointed like a lot of their compatriots in the new government?s performance? Do they wish changes were taking a faster pace?

Oleg Mykhailuta, one of TNMK?s frontmen, says he?s not disappointed or pessimistic, yet it?s clear that the politicians who came to power after the revolution don?t appreciate how much was done by the musicians for them. At the same time, he says, it wasn?t a question of choice. If he had the chance to go back, he would?ve done exactly the same thing.

?Yes, if someone goes into politics, he or she cannot be spotless. But I just wanted to fight for hope,? says Oleg.

Tonique, TNMK?s DJ, thinks that one of the most important achievements of the Orange Revolution, is the ordinary people?s strengthened confidence that can actually affect political processes in their country. ?And if this continues," he says, "Ukraine will keep getting better...even better than it is now!?

It?s been a busy year for TNMK, who worked on their forthcoming album, performed at several music festivals in Eastern Europe and played countless gigs all over Ukraine. They are now planning to record one of their new tracks in several foreign languages, including English and French. They are hoping that the new album will be noticed in Europe.

Dmytro Prykordonny, who has worked as a marketing director for Ukraine?s largest recording label ?Ukrainian Records? for many years and is now running his own agency, believes that Ukrainian musicians have all it takes to become successful in the West. Ukraine?s been independent for nearly 15 years yet no one ever really ?made it? abroad musically. But the land of the Orange revolution might just manage to produce a shooting star, he thinks.

These days there?s much more Ukrainian music being played on air in Kiev and other cities whereas before FM stations gave their preference to Russian pop. Music critics believe that this will eventually lead to more interest in local music, more Ukrainian musicians? albums sold in Ukraine itself and that in turn to a more diverse music scene. Bands like TNMK are already making it happen and proving that Ukrainian music is modern, different, worth listening to and simply great.



Kateryna Khinkulova, London